WASHINGTON – More than 120 veterans from across the country who are medal winners in national creative writing, music, dance, drama or arts contests are preparing to attend the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in Denver October 17-23.
“The Department of Veterans Affairs is committed to healing beyond just physical rehabilitation,” said the Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. “The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival provides an artistic channel for our nation’s heroes to recover physically, mentally and emotionally.”
The Creative Arts Festival, presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the American Legion Auxiliary and Help Hospitalized Veterans, is the culmination of a year-long fine arts talent competition involving 3,000 participants nationwide. The festival is open to all veterans receiving care at VA medical facilities.
It is hosted this year by the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System in Denver.
“We believe that participants at every level of the competition are winners because they have experienced healing and recovery through creative expression,” said Carol Van Kirk, National President of the American Legion Auxiliary. “We applaud the tremendous talent, courage and determination it takes to become a gold medal winner.”
These talented veterans will come to Denver for a week of rehearsals and workshops, concluding on Sunday, October 23, with a visual art exhibit and gala variety stage show at the Gates Concert Hall, located in the Newman Center for the Performing Arts on the University of Denver campus.
“Help Hospitalized Veterans believes this program extends to veterans a creative venue that is far reaching in therapeutic value for America’s heroes. It highlights abilities not disabilities,” said Roger Chapin, the group’s founder and president. “I encourage the public to attend the festival and experience the wonderful talent of America’s veterans.”
The artists will exhibit their work from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. on October 23 in Gates Concert Hall. At 2:00 p.m., performers in music, drama and dance will showcase their talent in a stage show, backed by a professional orchestra. Renowned actress of Hollywood’s golden era, Jane Powell, will be the mistress of ceremonies for the show.
For further information about the festival, contact Kim Byers, public affairs coordinator, at (734) 761-7824, or log on to the festival’s Web site: www.creativeartsfestival.org.
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Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov
Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online.
Veterans can also use our chatbot to get information about VA benefits and services. The chatbot won’t connect you with a person, but it can show you where to go on VA.gov to find answers to some common questions.
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